“In addition to complementing family therapy sessions, family meals provide the added benefit of coaching the entire family on effective behaviors for real-world settings,” says Jenna Deinzer, RD, Lead Senior Nutrition Therapist at Princeton Center for Eating Disorders. “It’s an approach that increases the likelihood of sustained progress after discharge.”
The Family Meal Process
Prior to a scheduled family meal, our dietitians provide family members with tangible meal planning advice and ensure that the food items being considered meet the patient’s nutritional needs and prescribed meal plan. To help represent the home setting, foods that are staples at home or that the patient previously enjoyed are encouraged. Parents are guided to keep the meal conversation supportive and light, while avoiding topics related to foods, weight, and caloric intake.
“When the family arrives, we ask them to portion out the meals before their child enters the room,” says Deinzer. “This allows us to review the portions, provide coaching, and supplement with other foods available on the unit if needed. Parents often find it helpful to see what an appropriately plated meal looks like.”
The meal dynamic is observed by a dietitian and the patient’s primary therapist, with intervention when needed. A post-meal processing session provides the opportunity to review positive and negative feedback, enabling the patient and the family to consider what tactics might work best moving forward.
Key Benefits for Families
Most family members participating in these meals value the benefits they gain, which include:
- Educational insight on what’s expected in a meal plan and how to best prepare
- Effective tools for getting through the meal with their child
- Empowerment to open the lines of communication in a supportive way
- Practice that can help family members feel more comfortable and confident during future meals
Of course, benefits also extend to the treatment team and the patient.
“These meals help us identify where patients and family members might be struggling the most, so that areas of concern can be further explored in family therapy sessions,” adds Deinzer. “For our patients, family meals are a great opportunity to demonstrate that everyone is on the same team. Together with the family, we work to create a supportive, united front on behalf of the patient.”